IBTIHAJ MUHAMMAD NAMED TO PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL

In one of his last acts in office, President Barack Obama appointed Maplewood's own Ibtihaj Muhammad to the President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.

Muhammad, of course, is a world-renowned fencer who earned a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio games last year.

The Team USA announcement on the appointment said, in part:

Muhammad made history as the first U.S. woman to compete at the Olympic Games wearing a hijab. The team saber bronze medalist in Rio, she also serves on the U.S. State Department’s Empowering Women and Girls Through Sport Initiative. Currently ranked No. 8 in the world, Muhammad was a three-time All-American for Duke University and holds five world championship medals (one gold, four bronzes).  

Other Olympians already serving on the council are track and field’s Allyson Felix, figure skater Michelle Kwan, volleyball player Christa Dietzen and basketball’s Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning and Chris Paul. 

Read the entire announcement HERE.